Of Sons, Rebuke, and Grace Text: 1 Samuel 2:11-36 Rev. John Downs The contrast between the waning priesthood of Eli and the waxing priesthood of Samuel shows us that it’s possible to be familiar with the word of God but …
Category: Uncategorized
December 10, 2023
Story and Song Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 Rev. John Downs As the story of God’s people unfolds in the book of Samuel we see that he preserves them through a great deal of conflict in the time of the judges …
December 3, 2023
The Parable of the Great Banquet Text: Luke 14:12-24 Rev. Peter Green Food and feasting often contribute to the formation of lasting memories. Jesus’ parable today highlights a great banquet, foreshadowing the great marriage supper of the Lamb that all …
November 26, 2023
Content With Christ Text: 1 Timothy 6:2b-21 Rev. John Downs From false teaching flows discontentment affecting both the individual and the community. The remedy is to find our contentment only in Christ and in the context of community. We do …
November 19, 2023
Household Honor Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2a Rev. John Downs We in the church are not just a random group of people who cross paths once a week on Sunday. Rather we have been knit together in Christ into a family …
November 12, 2023
A Promised Departure and a Practical Devotion Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Rev. John Downs Given the reality of deceitful spirits, not all spirituality is necessarily good. In his goodness to his people, God graciously exposes this to us so that …
November 5, 2023
The Mystery of Godliness Text: 1 Timothy 3:1-16 Rev. John Downs How are we to relate to an unseen God in a culture dominated by the visual? Most comprehensively, in the incarnation, God reveals himself to us in Christ. Beyond …
October 29, 2023
Holy Fruit and Holy Order Text: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Rev. John Downs Even when it may grate against current cultural sensibilities, we do well to submit to the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the distinct and yet beautifully complementary roles …
October 22, 2023
Prayer and Salvation Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Rev. John Downs The ideas of scarcity and supply and demand may be useful in economic arenas to deal with things that are valuable, but not so in the Kingdom of God. The …
October 15, 2023
Doctrine and Doxology Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-20 Rev. John Downs In contrast to false doctrine, true doctrine comes to us from God himself and can be recognized by the good fruit it produces. While good doctrine is important for us …